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The questionable future and history of ecstasy (MDMA) abuse

Ecstasy is the textbook example of just how wrong drugs can go. Created in labs of pharmaceutical giant Merck and then outlawed, ecstasy has become the potpourri of the illicit drug world.

So, where did it all get started? And when did it gain traction as a fun drug? We explore here. Then, we invite your questions, comments, and opinions, about ecstasy at the end.

Ecstasy, The Beginning

The drug that would be known as Ecstasy was created in 1912 by two scientists working for the pharmaceutical company, Merck, in Germany. The drug was first known by its chemical name, 3,4-methylenedioxymethylamphetamine, or MDMA. It received a patent although no intended uses were mentioned in the patent filing. Merck intended to use it as a diet pill.

They later decided against developing the drug for that use so MDMA remained dormant. It is rumored the drug was used by the U.S. military in 1953. However, in the 1960s MDMA gained traction in psychotherapy. By the 70s, MDMA hit the streets as a party drug. Its popularity increased. In the 80s it was “the” club drug. Remarkably MDMA, branded “Ecstasy”, was a legal substance until 1985.

Modern Ecstasy

The ecstasy of today is not the MDMA of yesteryear. The brand name has become a generic term with little actual meaning about the chemical makeup of an individual pill. Today’s ecstasy can be a potpourri of whatever drugs the dealers decide to mix together. This impurity is part of what makes it so dangerous. Users can be consuming everything from rat poison to caffeine mixed with anything from LSD to methamphetamine with or without MDMA.

The combinations of drugs in today’s ecstasy are nearly endless. This sets victims up not only for addiction to the ecstasy high, but overdose and even death. When users do not know what they are ingesting from score to score, they won’t be able to judge the high they receive. As users take more to try to have a higher high than last time, they may inadvertently overdose on the new combination of drugs.

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Your Brain On MDMA

Assuming the ecstasy someone buys actually has MDMA in it, MDMA takes about 15 minutes to reach the brain. Once in the brain, MDMA increases serotonin which is one of the brain’s feel good chemicals. The rush of serotonin helps the body feel so good it has earned the drug the nickname “the love drug.”

However, as the effects of MDMA subside, the user feels faint or dizzy and can have the chills and the sweats. As the brain comes off the flood of serotonin agitation and anxiety sets in. Plus, the effects of ecstasy on the brain are not only short-term. The brain can suffer for weeks with confusion and depression causing the user to begin craving the drug again. These after effects of MDMA can be permanent for heavy users.

Your Body On MDMA

As your brain releases extra serotonin, suddenly your natural inhibitions drop. You may feel more relaxed and open to behavior you normally would not including unprotected sex which is why it is a popular party drug. Other effects are potentially more dangerous.

For example, many users do not know one dose of MDMA can lead to death as body temperature climbs to hyperthermia levels. If it does not kill you, the extra heat can permanently damage the heart, liver, and kidneys. Other side effects include:

elevated heart rate

elevated blood pressure

muscle tension

teeth clenching

nausea

blurred vision

All of these side effects are especially dangerous in a club setting as users might explain them away as a crowded room or the euphoria of the party. Users who try to keep from coming down before the party is over often take more MDMA. Unfortunately the body does not metabolize MDMA quickly. Too much MDMA in the bloodstream can cause irregular heartbeats and seizures which cause death.

In contrast, the U.S. penalties for ecstasy are more severe than for any other drug. The move by the ACMD is incomprehensible considering ecstasy is the third most popular illicit drug in Great Britain thanks in part to the dominance club culture. However, the chairman of the ACMD supports the reclassification because thanks to the Internet teens now know MDMA has been shown to have medicinal value.

Fortunately for Britons, even if the ACMD does support reclassification it is unlikely the government will allow the change. The ACMD recommended cannabis receives a similar downgrade, from class B to class C, but was it was overridden by Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith.

Deadly Combinations

Of course, regular or unprescribed use of any psychoactive drug on its own is bad enough and carries risk. Still another alarming aspect to ecstasy is how eager young users are to mix it with alcohol or other drugs. The whole party scene is, of course, a huge contributing factor. A single pill chased by a shot can cause death especially if the ecstasy has been cut with other drugs.

Durham University professor Fiona Measham said she has seen a drastic shift in the attitudes of today’s club generation. Among club kids, drugs, including ecstasy, are no big deal. The attitude is bad but the combination can be deadly. Hopefully, attitudes toward ecstasy will not soften on this side of the pond.

Leave a Reply

3 Responses to “The questionable future and history of ecstasy (MDMA) abuse”

Melanie

11:44 pm March 29th, 2016

I have been an addict for my entire adult life, primarily to opioids. However, about ten years ago I was prescribed klonopins by a doctor and began taking them on a daily basis. Fast forward five years–Doctor gets arrested for Medicare fraud and completely shuts down overnight. Since then I have been buying them off the street. I need to know how stop taking them. I have tried several times and it was impossible. And this is coming from someone who has kicked tons of habits on my own from heroin to methadone, and have run anything harder to stop then these benzos. Treatment is not an option at this point in my life. Any suggestions.

Lydia @ Addiction Blog

4:52 pm April 7th, 2016

Hi Melanie. You may check out the Ashton Manual: http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/ It is a manual that can help you with dealing benzodiazepine dependence and withdrawal.

Kaye

11:51 pm June 24th, 2016

I found out last year that my daughter had done “ecstasy” on a regular basis for 10 years during her 20s and 30s. She was diagnosed with “bipolar” at 32 but I always questioned that. Her personality seemed to change from her late 20s, and her life went through many changes, with job losses, a relationship breakdown, drivers licence loss, and eventually going on to Disability. She also developed a severe memory disorder, became hypochondriac and self-obsessed, with depression, low impulse control, and also prone to exaggeration and outright lying. She also developed a balance disorder, and had many falls resulting in fractures. She died this year at 41 years old. The initial report says she had a seizure, but the coroner is yet to come up with a reason for her death.

10 years of “ecstasy” must have had psychological and physical effects on my daughter – but there is not much to be found about research or knowledge of long-term effects. I am devastated, and will be doing as much reading and making contact with others as I can. I hope we won’t be seeing an epidemic of physical and mental problems in the next few generations of young people. It seems to be happening already.

Tyler is a freelance writer/journalist, with past experience as the head content writer and outreach coordinator for HelpYourTeenNow. His areas of focus include: parenting, education, social media, addiction, and issues facing teenagers today.

Hi Christine. I suggest that you consult with your daughter's doctor about this. Also, you may searc...

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